Valve systems for non-refillable containers

ABSTRACT

Several forms of valve assembly, to be secured permanently to a container, enable one-time-only filling of the container, for avoiding dangerously refilled containers. The valve assembly has a shut-off valve for controlling fluid dispensing. In some forms, the shut-off valve converts the assembly to its non-fillable condition as a consequence of the first closing operation of the shut-off valve. There may be an initially inactive check valve that allows the container to be filled and becomes a dischargeonly check valve, or a check valve in a dispensing passage may have a parallel filling passage that is blocked after one use.

Umted States Patent 1 1 3, D l 1 51 Dec. 5, 1972 [54] VALVE SYSTEMS FORNON- 879,000 2/ 1908 Pitner ..222/ 147 REFILLABLE CONTAINERS 909,8901/1909 Hammerstein ..215/25 l 104 201 7/1914 Lenzi ..2l5/l9 72lnt.GeoC.Del,990R1dfld I 1 ff 53 06897 ge 1,164,014 12/1965 Ph1ll1ps ..215/25829,619 8/1906 Atkmson ..215/22 [22] F1led: Dec. 8, 1969 211 App], 33,122 Primary ExaminerRobert B. Reeves Assistant Examiner-Thomas E.Kocovsky 52 US. Cl. ..222/147, 137/315, 141/18, Wm-Paul 215/ 18 511 1m.(:1. ,.B65d 47/02 [57] ABSTRACT Field of Search Several forms of valveassembly, to be secured per- 222/395, 399, 400.7; 137/315, 329.1-329.4;manently to a container, enable one-time-only filling 141/ 18; 215/ 14,7. 21, 25 of the container, for avoiding dangerously refilledcontainers. The valve assembly has a shut-off valve for 1 ReferencesCited controlling fluid dispensing. In some forms, the shut- UNITEDSTATES PATENTS oft valve converts the assembly to its non-fillablecond1t1on as a consequence of the first closing operation 3,403,823 1oDormell 153 of the shut-off valve. There may be an initially inactive2,302,490 8/1957 f X check valve that allows the container to be filledand Salisbury be omes a discharge-only check valve or a check 1,162,6301l/l915 Mart ..l37/329.3 valve in a dispensing passage may have aparallel Aaron ..2 1 passage is blocked after one use 782,758 2/1905Paulson ..2l5/25 871,780 11/1907 Card ..215/21 10 Claim, 12 DrawingFigures 1%! ,1;- 7% w 4 414- lid c v 7/d 732 [ZZQ VALVE SYSTEMS FORNON-REFILLABLE CONTAINERS The present invention relates tonon-refillable containers and in particular to a valve system for suchcontainers having provision for a first-time filling operatlon.

Many forms of liquefiable fluids are sold in disposable containers.Small metal tanks containing liquefied propane, liquified butane, andrefrigerants such as freon are common examples of this practice. Whencontainers of this type are filled by a manufacturer who has fullcontrol of the starting condition of the container and of the fillingprocedures and the specifications, a remarkably safe product can bedistributed to the public. However, sometimes empty or partly emptycontainers are collected and these are refilled by poorly skilled andpoorly equipped persons. The result is often a hazardous product. Forexample, an overfilled container can be a real danger to life andproperty.

An object of the present invention resides in providing a valve systemfor containers of liquefied gas under pressure for allowing thecontainer to be filled initially and in which the valve system can thenbe modified expeditiously and in a virtually permanent manner by thepersons responsible for the first filling, for preventing subsequentfilling operations.

Another object of the invention resides in providing a valve system fordispensing liquefied fluid from a container in which there is provisionfor a first-time filling operation, readily modified after the firstfill so that any attempts to refill the container would necessitatetampering and would leave tell-tale marks. This feature is aimed atproviding a defense for the manufacturer who originally filled thecontainer in case the container should later be refilled by another andthen be involved in a harmful mishap.

A related object resides in providing novel methods of filling fluidcontainers through a valve system that is subsequently used fordispensing the fluid, involving relatively secure modification of thevalve system to virtually prevent subsequent refilling of the container.

A still further object resides in the provision of methods and apparatusfor filling containers of the aforementioned type in a way to provideassurance that the valve system has been converted to itsfill-preventing condition once the original filling operation has beencompleted.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention and its variousfeatures of novelty and their advantages will be more fully appreciatedfrom the description below of several illustrative embodiments of theinvention which are shown in the accompanying drawings. In each of theseembodiments there is a valve system for controlling the flow of fluidbetween an external port where fluid is supplied or discharged and aninternal port that opens into the container. The valve system iscontained in a short conduit secured permanently to the container. Itincludes a shut-off valve that has an externally accessible operatingpart for opening the discharge passage when required, and a check valvefor preventing the flow of fluid in the filling direction after thecontainer has once been filled. The check valve is virtuallyinaccessible so that it remains effective to prevent a refillingoperation. In each embodiment, the valve system includes provision foran initial filling operation that can be readily and securely modifiedfor preventing refilling.

In the initial condition of several embodiments, the check valve isprevented from seating by a detent. This condition allows thecheck-valve passage to be used in a filling operation. After thecontainer has been filled, this detent is disabled. The check valveassumes its operative configuration for preventing flow of fluid in thecontainer-filling direction. The check valve and its detent arevirtually inaccessible for restoring the detent to its condition neededfor holding the check valve open, such as would become necessary forrefilling the container.

In one form, the check valve includes a ball that is spring biasedtoward a seat and arranged to allow flow of fluid in the dischargingdirection. However, before the container has been filled, a cluster ofspring-fingers acts as a detent holding the ball away from the valveseat and thereby provides a passage for the flow of fluid in the fillingdirection. The shut-ofi' valve of the valve system is open, and thecontainer is filled under controlled conditions. Thereafter, the ball isforced past the detent fingers to cooperate with its valve seat. Themovable member of the shut-off valve is used to force the ball of thecheck valve past its detent fingers. From this point on, there is nopractical way of gaining access to the check valve for opening it in anattempt to refill the container.

In another embodiment involving a convertible check valve, the checkvalve is held open by a wire that extends from the external port of thevalve system to a rupturable connection to the movable member of thecheck valve. After the filling operation has been completed, the wire istorn away, and the movable valve member of the check valve thereuponbecomes effective for preventing flow of fluid in the filling directionwhile freely accommodating flow of fluid in the dispensing ordischarging direction.

In another form involving a convertible check valve, there is atemporary support or detent that initially holds the movable valvemember at some distance from its seat. The support or detent is made ofmaterial that is attacked by the filling fluid. It may be dissolved, orit may be severely softened. After the container has been filled, thedetent loses all capacity to hold the valve open to the flow of fluid inthe filling direction. In a still further construction, the check valvehas parts that are initially out of efi'ective check-valve cooperation,but after the initial filling operation, a properly directed impactshifts the parts of the check valve permanently into check-valveconfiguration.

In each example mentioned above, the valve system has a single passagethat serves both for the initial filling operation and subsequently forcheck-valve controlled discharge of fluid. The check valve is in thatpassage, and it is convertible from an initially disabled freely opencondition utilized during the initial filling operation into activecheck-valve configuration to block subsequent flow in that passage inthe filling direction. In a further modification, there are two parallelpassages between an inner port and an outer port of the valve system,one passage being controlled by a check valve and the other passagebeing initially open to provide a filling passage but which is blockedafter the initial filling operation. A shut-off valve is included, forcontrolling the delivery of fluid from the container.

In both the one-passage system and the two-passage valve systemdescribed above briefly, certain embodiments in common follow theconcept of utilizing the shut-off valve (which is notably accessibleexternally) as a tool or probe that reaches deep into the valve systemto convert the system from its filling condition to its non-refillablecondition.

In the routine operation of a plant where containers are filled withliquefied fluid, the containers equipped with the novel valve system aresuccessively evacuated and filled. A procedure that is then carried outas part of the routine is to convert the inactive check valves to theiractive state. It is of course possible for an occasional unit to beoverlooked so that there could be isolated instances of inactive checkvalves. However, so long as most of the check valves are made active,there would be little incentive for anyone to set himself up as arefilling facility.

It is nevertheless desirable for the foregoing valve systems to berendered non-refillable automatically after the first filling of thecontainer. Two forms of apparatus that insure conversion of theconvertible valve systems of the present invention to theirnon-refillable condition after filling is completed are described. Inone example of the filling apparatus, the filling valve in the containerfilling apparatus is coordinated with the device that converts the valvesystem to its non-refillable condition. The check valve remains in itsinitial condition both while the filling valve is open and while it isclosed and also when it is being opened for a filling operation; butwhen the filling valve is being closed, thus signalling completion ofthe filling operation, the filling valve automatically causes the valvesystem conversion to its non-refillable state. In a second example ofthe filling apparatus, the removal of the valve system from theevacuating and initial filling apparatus is made dependent on theactivation of the valve-system converting device. Thus, there is anautomatic safeguard against operator error, providing assurance thatinitially fillable containers cannot remain in their fillable conditionafter having been filled once.

The foregoing embodiments which have been thus briefly described areshown in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a lateral view, drawn to reduced-scale, of a liquefied gascontainer and a valve system for filling the container and fordischarging fluid as required;

FIG. 2 is a longitudinal cross-section of a valve system on afragmentary portion of the container of FIG. 1, FIG. 2 being drawn toenlarged scale and representing an embodiment of several features of theinvention;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-section of a modification of the valvesystem of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary longitudinal cross-section of a modification ofthe valve system in FIG. 3;

FIGS. 5 and 6 are two further valve systems for onetime filling and forcontrolled discharge or dispensing of fluid from the container of FIG.1;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary vertical cross-section of another embodiment ofcertain features of the invention;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical cross-section of the valvesystem in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary vertical cross-section of a further embodimentof certain features of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary vertical cross-section of the embodiment ofFIG. 9 following operation thereof for conversion to the non-refillablestate;

FIG. 11 is a lateral view of one form of apparatus for use in fillingcontainers having valve systems of a form such as that in FIGS. 2, 3 and4; and

FIG. 12 is a lateral view, partly in cross-section, of another fonn ofapparatus for use in filling containers having valve systems as shown inFIGS. 6, 9 and 1 1.

Referring now to the drawings, container 10 has a valve system 12secured to one end thereof. Valve system 12 is shown enlarged inlongitudinal cross-section in FIG. 2. Collar 14 is welded or otherwisehermetically joined to the wall of container 10. A flanged part 16 ofthe valve system in FIG. 2 is held firmly in place in its complementarycavity in collar 14 by a tumed-in or spun-over edge portion of thecollar. An O-ring 20 that is in compression between flange 16 and collar14 provides assurance of a hermetic seal between the collar and body 18.Portion 15 of the valve system mounting is to be permanent in the sensethat it can be reworked only with such great difficulty as to be readilydetected. The metal of which flange 15 is made is hard or otherwise ofsuch character that if it were raised to release flange l6 and turneddown again, it would fracture. Other secure fastening techniques may beused.

Threaded portion 22 of body 18 provides a coupling for a companionthreaded coupling or fitting of a supply line or a receiving line. Stem24 of pressure relief valve is slideable along a bore in body 18 at theaxis of coupling 22. A number of lengthwise passages around stem 24provide a composite external port 26 for the valve system. Body 18provides a through conduit to an internal port 28 that opens into thecontainer 10.

Member 30 has a force fit or is otherwise fixed in the bore surface 32of body 18. A firm compression spring 34 bears against the end of member30 and presses upward against cup 36 of a shut-off valve. This cup andresilient ring 38 form the movable member of a shut-off valve. Resilientring 38 bears against annular rib 40 that forms the shut-off valve seat.Cup 36 has a number of ribs 42 that are spaced apart and provide a slidebearing for the cup against bore surface 32. When the shutoff valve isopen, the spaces between ribs 42 provide a passage past cup 36 for theflow of fluid through body 18.

An annular rib 44 surrounding a cavity in the center of cup 36 forms theseat for a pressure relief valve. Disc 46 of resilient non-porousmaterial such as rubber and a cup portion 48 that has a tubularextrusion joined to valve stem 24 form the movable member of thepressure relief valve. A compression spring 50 biases valve member 46,48 against its seat 44. One or more holes 52 in the hollow conical tip54 of valve cup 36 provides a passage for escape of excess-pressurefluid via internal port 28, bore 32, hole 52, and the space 56surrounding spring 50 to the passages forming exit port 26. Thecompression of spring 50 is selected in relation to the area withinvalve seat 44 so that an excess pressure in container 10 will lift valvemember 46 to provide pressure relief. Spring 34 which biases valve cup36 upward is much more powerful than spring 50 so that there is notendency for the pressure relief valve to open the shut-off valve 38,40.

Member 30 has a cluster of spring fingers 58 around a seat 60. Ball 62is initially supported by fingers 58 in the position illustrated.Compression coil spring 64 has its upper end centered about thegenerally conical center projection 54 of valve cup 36. Spring 64 bearsagainst ball 62 and biases that ball against spring fingers 54. This isa relatively light biasing force, sufficient to maintain ball 62 in theposition illustrated, against spring fingers 58.

The operation of the valve system of FIG. 2 is as follows. The parts inthe positions illustrated in FIG. 2 represent the valve system incondition for a filling operation. The valve system is first coupled toa vacuum line, using a fitting that depresses shaft 24 flush with theend of the coupling 22. This opens the shut-off valve 38, 40. When thecontainer has been evacuated, the vacuum line can be disconnected, theshut-off valve closing automatically. The valve system is then coupledto a fluid-filling line, again depressing stem 24 and opening shut-offvalve 38, 40. When the container has been filled according tospecifications, the valve system is released from the filling station.As a matter of routine, an attendant uses a suitable rod to depress stem24 far enough to drive ball 62 to its dotted-line position. Thisactivates the check valve. Subsequent refilling of the container isprevented, short of drastic steps that would leave tell-tale marks.

Conversion of the check valve 60, 62 from its inactive to its activestate is carried out automatically by the apparatus of FIG. 12. Threadedcoupling 22 is screwed into internally threaded part 100 of a fillingunit. For convenience, part 100 is made rotatable relative to thefilling unit so that coupling 22 on container 10 is drawn into part 100.A shaft 102 is held captive in bore 104 by a snap-ring 106, and O-ring107 provides a seal between shaft 102 and bore 104. A part 108 of shaft102 depresses the upper end of stem 24 so as to be flush with the upperend of coupling 22 when ring 106 bears against the top of cavity 110 andwhen fitting 22 is seated in part 100. This depression of stem 24 liftsthe movable member 36, 38 of the shut-off valve away from its seat 40(FIG. 2) and opens a passage from the external port 26 through theconduit formed by body 18 from coupling 22 to the internal port 28.

Valve 112 controls the connection of passage 113 to a vacuum pumpconnected to rotatable internally threaded fitting 114. Valve 112 isopened for evacuating container 10, and then valve 112 is closed. At thesame location or at another location in the plant, rotatable internallythreaded fitting 120 is connected to a supply of pressurized fluid.Valve 118 is opened by rotating valve handle 116 for filling container10.

Valve 118 has a disc 120 on the valve stem. When the filling valve is tobe opened, disc 120 rotates counterclockwise as observed lookingdownward, i.e., in the direction of the arrow. In the position shown,the valve 118 is closed. As the valve starts to open, arm 102a on shaft102 moves in a circular groove 122. Pin 102b prevents arm 1200 fromswinging away from groove 122. Bar 124 is pivoted to an area 126 at theouter surface of disc 120, and is normally biased against pin 128 by aspring (not shown) so as to extend slantwise across groove 122. Duringopening of the valve, disc 120 rotates and bar 124 swings out of the wayof arm 102a. Depending on the design of valve 118, it may be sufficientto rotate handle 116 one revolution to open the valve, and in that casebar 124 snaps out of the way of arm 1020 only once.

When container 10 has been filled according to specifications, valve isclosed. Disc rotates opposite to the arrow and bar 124 forces arm 102ato follow groove 122a. This depresses the upper end of rod or stem 24,pressing members 46 and 36 downward until the tip of conical member 54drives ball 62 past the detent represented by spring fingers 58 and intothe dotted-line position illustrated. Spring 64 continues to bearlightly against ball 62, biasing the ball against its seat 60. Thus,ball or movable valve member 60 which is biased toward its seat 60 byspring 64 acts as a check valve preventing flow of fluid in the fillingdirection from external port 26 to internal port 28. At the same timethis check valve allows reverse flow of fluid in the dischargingdirection from internal port 28 to the external port 26. The flow offluid in the discharging direction occurs only when the coupling of afluid receiver is attached to threaded coupling 22 and stem 24 isdepressed to open the shut-off valve 36, 38, 40. Additionally, it isevident that ball 62 would lift from its seat in the event of an excesspressure developing in container 10, providing a passage from internalport 28 via (open) check valve 60, 62, through hole or holes 52, through(open) pressure relief valve 44, 46 and to the exterior via space 56 andexternal port 26.

Shifting of ball 62 to the dotted-line position of FIG. 2 activates thecheck valve of the valve system on com tainer 10, the valve system ofcontainer 10 thus assuming its non-refillable condition. The operationof closing the fluid supply valve 118 must be done before fitting 22 ofthe valve system on container 10 can be released from part 100. Thisprovides the definite assurance of the check valve being activated toprevent subsequent filling, as an incident of the initial fillingoperation.

Repeated operation of shut-off valve 36, 38, 40 for opening the passagethrough the valve assembly has no effect on check valve 60, 62 after thespring-finger detent 58 has been forcibly deflected out of the path ofball 62. The check valve remains effective thereafter and is virtuallyinaccessible for being restored to the position represented by thesolid-line showing of ball 62, to return the valve to the conditionnecessary for a refilling operation.

In some situations it is considered desirable for the valve system toincorporate a safety valve having an exit port that does not extend intoeither the fluid supply or the fluid receiver. A modified constructionlike FIG. 2 is shown in FIG. 3, wherein like parts have the samenumerals as in FIG. 2, distinguished by a suffix a. The like parts andtheir operation will be understood from the description of the valvesystem of FIG. 2, and the filling operation follows that of theembodiment in FIG. 2.

In FIG. 3, pressure relief valve 440, 46a, 480 has a stem 24a that isseparate from the stem 24a which carries cup 36a of the shut-off valve.The pressure relief valve opens to an exit port 26a that is external ofcoupling 22a and separate from external port 26a of the valve assembly.In the lateral position of the pressure relief valve in FIG. 3, thatvalve can respond to an over-pressure and vent to the outside atmosphereeven when the fluid supply (FIG. 12) or a fluid receiver is connected tocoupling 22a. A spacer ring 66 lifts the lower end of body 18 off theface 68 in collar 14a so that there will be a fluid passage frominternal port 28a into the bore 32a and into the passage of thepressurerelief valve. Holes 52 of FIG. 2 are unnecessary in the shut-offvalve cup 36a of FIG. 3.

, A modification of the valve assembly of FIG. 3 is shown in FIG. 4,wherein only enough of the valve assembly is illustrated to show themodification. The parts in FIG. 4 that correspond to those in FIG. 3bear the same reference numerals with a sufi'ix b.

Fingers 58a which are shaped as detents in FIG. 3 for supporting ball62a are replaced by a rod 58b in FIG. 4, carried by a perforated disc 70that fits tightly in a cavity in member 30b. Ball 62b is supported byrod 58b, and is guided laterally by upstanding straight fingers 72. Asin FIGS. 2 and 3, there is a light spring 64b that bears downwardagainst ball or movable check-valve member 62b. Member 70 and its post58b are formed of a material that softens or is dissolved by the fluidwith which the container is filled. The solubility should be limited sothat the filling operation can proceed to completion. In the case of arefrigerant such as freon, an acrylic plastic can be used. Once thefilling operation is complete and the post 58b has softened or dissolvedand has thus been removed from its position supporting check-valvemember 62b, that valve member moves against its seat 60b. The parts ofthe check valve are remote and inaccessible from the exterior of thevalve assembly. Due to the valve location, tampering with the checkvalve for refilling the container is virtually impossible. The valveassembly will provide for the discharge of fluid whenever the shut-offvalve is opened, but refilling of the container is prevented by checkvalve 60b, 62b, 64b after it is activated. This form of valve assemblymakes the container fillable once, and it inherently prevents refillingeven without a specialized filling apparatus such as that of FIG. 12.

A further form of valve system having the same broad characteristics ofthe assemblies in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 appears in FIG. 5 where the samenumerals are used with a suffix c to indicate corresponding parts.Collar 14c and body 180 are united to each other and to can body in asecure, hermetically sealed manner. There is a right-angled passagethrough the body 180, forming a conduit between internal port 28c andand external port 26c. This passage can be closed ofl by a manuallyoperable shut-off valve having a movable member 380 adapted to cooperatewith valve seat 400. The shut-off valve has a laterally threaded stem 74that mates with internal threads in body 18c so that, when knob 76 isrotated, movable valve member 38c of the shut-off valve will closeagainst its seat 40c and thereby close off the passage from internalport 280 to the exterior. Body 180 has a shoulder 78 that overlies snapring 80 contained in a groove around the valve stem. Snap ring 80 abutsagainst shoulder 78 in the position illustrated, and prevents removal ofthe manual valve stem. As valve stem 74 is turned for driving movablevalve member 38c in the valve-closing direction, snap ring moves alongthe internal passage 82 in body 18c.

There is a bore 84 in valve stem 74 that communicates with the internalport 280. Bore 84 provides a passage to valve seat 44c. Movable valvemember 46c cooperates with valve seat 440 to close this passage. Member46c is made of resilient non-porous material and is contained in a cup480. A spring 50c biases valve member 400 against its seat, constitutinga pressure relief valve. A castellated sharp-edged washer 86 fits inbore 88 and acts as stop for the upper end of compression spring 50c.Seat 440, member 46c and spring 500 form a pressure relief valve which,as in FIGS. 3 and 4, communicates to the atmosphere.

At right-angles to body 18c there is a threaded lateral extension 18c,and internally threaded cap 90 is mounted on lateral extension Mountingof the cap may be rendered permanent by welding instead of or inaddition to the threads. Also, cap 90 and body 18c may be made of aplastic such as nylon, and they may be welded by a solvent or bonded bya cement when screwed together.

An initially inactive check valve is enclosed in lateral extension 18c.Annular rib 60c forms a valve seat. Resilient member 620 of resilientnon-porous material is supported in a body 62c forming a movable memberof a check valve. The sides of member 620' have grooves 92 forming fluidpassages when the movable valve member is spaced from its seat. A wire94 has a headed end 96 that is captive in a cavity formed by small cup98 whose edges are turned-over behind head 96. At its opposite end, wire94 has a looped portion 101, that bears against a shoulder in theexternal port 26c and in this condition wire 94 holds movable valvemember 62c, 62c away from its seat 60c. In this condition, external port26c can be used for admitting a fluid filling when valve 38c, 400 isopen. Valve 38c, 40c is closed when the filling operation is complete.Then wire 94 is forcibly removed, spreading the tumed-in edges of cup98. Alternatively, the wire could be weakened adjacent to its head 96for fracturing easily. In any case, once wire 94 has been removed, valveelements 60c, 62c, 62c and spring 64c constitute a check valve thatprevents flow of fluid in the filling direction while accommodatingdischarge of fluid from internal port 280 to external port 260 whenshut-off valve 380, 40c is open.

Filling of a container 10 having a valve system of FIG. 5 can be carriedout by connecting coupling 220 to a vacuum line and then to a liquefiedfluid supply line, closing valve 380, 40c each time coupling 220 is tobe disconnected. Wire 94 is next extracted at an established place inthe routine of the filling plant. The routine can also be carried outusing the apparatus of FIG. 12 modified, however, to form part 108 as anextracting hook for wire 94. Curved track 122a of FIG. 12 would thencurve away from the valve system of the container so as to extract thewire 94 when the filling valve is closed at the end of the controlledfilling procedure.

The additional modification illustrated in FIG. 6 shows a similar valvesystem. The shut-off valve of FIG. 6 is identical to that in FIG. 5except that there is a fluted extension 103 on the valve stem 74d thatis adapted to drive ball 62d past spring-finger detent 58d so that theball can occupy the dotted-line position illustrated. This is theoperative position of the check valve for accommodating flow of fluid inthe discharge direction but preventing flow of fluid in thecontainerfilling direction. In the construction of FIG. 6, check valve62d, 60d, 64d operates the same as that in FIGS. 2 and 3. The notabledistinction of the construction in FIG. 6 is that the shut-off valvestem 74d must remain in its full-open position until the container hasbeen filled. Once valve stem 74d has been operated to drive movabledrive member 38d against its seat 40d, the check valve is thereafter inits refill-preventing condition. Of course, fluted rod 103 does notdrive ball 62d against seat 60d. The embodiment of FIG. 6, like that ofFIG. 5, involves a right-angled discharge-port construction.

The routine of evacuating and then filling a container 10 equipped witha valve system of FIG. 6 requires an external shut-off valvearrangement, to be used after the container has been evacuated. This isbecause shutoff valve 38d, 40d cannot be used until the time when rod103 is to drive ball 62d past detent fingers 58d, to activate the checkvalve. Alternatively, the filling routine can be carried out effectivelyusing the apparatus of FIG. 13.

The valve assembly of FIG. 6 is shown coupled to a filling apparatus130, including a rotary coupling 132 that is internally threaded toreceive coupling 22d and to seal that coupling to an evacuating andfilling line 134. Coupling 132 has a gear 136 that is operated by pinion138 on reversible slow-speed drive unit 140.

After the specified evacuating and filling sequence has been completed,knob 76 of the shut-off valve is operated for the first time. It isnecessary to operate the valve before removing the container 10 and itsvalve system from the filling apparatus, since otherwise there would benothing to prevent discharge of the liquefied fluid from the container.Drive unit 140 contains an electric motor and a suitable speed reducer.When knob 76 is operated to close the shut-off valve of container l0,lever 142 is pressed down against the bias of tension spring 144 tooperate reversing switch 146. Then, when drive unit 140 is energized bya starting switch, coupling 132 will operate in the direction to releasecoupling 22d.

The filled container 10 cannot be removed from the filling apparatuswithout a controlling reminder to the attendant to operate knob 76 ofthe shut-off valve, thus causing part 103 to activate the check valve inbody 18d and render the valve system non-refillable.

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate still another principle for activating aninitially inactive check valve in a once-fillable non-refillable valvesystem for liquefied gas containers. By way of illustration, thismodification utilizes the otherwise-similar valve assembly of FIG. 3.Corresponding parts bearing like numerals with the e sufiix are alike inform and function.

Spring 34e biases shut-off valve member 38e toward its annular seat 40e.Weaker spring 64e biases a part 150 in the opposite direction. Part 150has a cylindrical periphery that is guided in a cylindrical cavity inmember 30e. Ball 62e is initially held captive by detent means in theposition represented in solid lines in FIGS. 7 and 8. There is a hole58e in part 150, and a projection 58e both of which serve as the detentmeans. A channel formed by a pair of walls (including wall 152) guidesball 62e toward valve seat 60e.

After a container has been evacuated and filled following prescribedprocedures, a sharp blow against body 18c is used to activate the checkvalve. A sharp blow at point X causes ball 62e to shift past its detentmeans, dropping into a cavity to its dotted-line position at valve seat60e. Stop 153 prevents excess travel of the ball.

Point X can be recognized as being opposite the pressure relief valve.However, the required path of the ball to activate the check valve maybe changed from one valve to the next. In that case, point X can beidentified by a mark on the body l8e that is of a form readily removedafter the filling operation. In any case, once the ball has shifted toits valve seat, an enormously larger impact would be needed to restorethe check-valve ball to its initial position. Thus, this valve systemmakes the container non-refillable after the check valve has beenactivated.

Part has a hole 154 for flow of fluid out of the container when theshut-off valve is opened, and hole 58e serves as such an opening. Spring64e acting on part 150 biases ball 62e against its seat.

Check valve 62e-60e-64e is to be activated only on completion of anevacuating and filling sequence, and it should be activated at thattime. An impact-applying station can be located in the container-fillingplant adjacent to the filling station, so as to be used as a matter ofroutine. If a marker is applied to valve system l2e to indicate point X,the marker should be removed after impact is applied.

Alternatively, an impact tool can be coordinated with the fillingapparatus. The impact tool can assume the form of an electromagnethaving a hammer-like armature, and the control switch for theelectromagnet can be activated in coordination with filling apparatuslike that of FIG. 11 or FIG. 12. Thus, the electromagnet control switchcan be activated by a suitably modified part 102 (FIG. 12) during theclosing operation of the filling valve. Similarly the electromagnetcontrol switch can be activated by manually depressing lever 142 (FIG.12), this control switch being adjacent to, or part of, reversing switch146. In this way the impact for activating the check valve wouldnecessarily occur before the valve system 12e of container 10 can bedisconnected from the filling apparatus. It will be appreciated that thevalve system 12e and container 10 must be movable at the time of theimpact so that the inertia of ball 62e will cause the ball to becomeseated as the whole valve system and the container shift due to theimpact. To accommodate this shift, a length of flexible hose should beused in the connection of containers 10 to the filling apparatus of themodified FIGS. 11 or 12.

In each of the various embodiments that have been described above, thereis a deactivated check valve whose parts are maintained separated by adetent and the valve is accordingly maintained open during the fillingoperation; the detent which maintains the separation of the valvemembers is overcome or per manently removed from the detent orobstructing position; and the valve is thereafter effective as a checkvalve for preventing flow of filling liquid while accommodating the flowof liquid in the discharge or dispensing direction. In each case, thecheck valve is so located remote from the exterior in an inaccessibleposition so that restoration of the valve to its initial condition foraccommodating a refill operation is virtually impossible.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show a still further approach to realization of aone-time fillable non-refillable valve system. This modificationincludes a valve body 18f and a shut-ofi" valve stem 74f like that ofFIG. and incorporates a pressure-relief valve in the shut-off valvestem, movable valve surface 38f bearing against seat 40f when the valveis closed. Body 18f forms a conduit between outer and inner ports 26fand 28f.

A check valve comprising seat 60f, ball 62f and spring 64f is disposedin a fluid discharge passage 65f between ports 26f and 28f allowingdischarge of fluid from container when the shut-off valve is open. Aparallel passage is formed by a tube 67f fixed in body 18f. The upperend of tube 67f is initially open (FIG. 9) for a first fillingoperation. Tube 67f is of readily deformable material such as lead.Valve stem 74f has a cupped extension 74] proportioned to close off theupper end of tube 65f (FIG. 10) when the shut-off valve is closed forthe first time. Pressure-relief valve 84f opens laterally throughextension 74], to communicate with passage 65f both when the shut-offvalve is open and when it is closed.

Filling of a container having valve system 12f follows the proceduredescribed in'connection with FIG. 5. The check valve is initiallyeffective in FIG. 9, but tube 67f, a passage in body 18f between theouter port and the inner port, is open initially for a first fillingoperation and is closed thereafter so as to prevent refilling. The checkvalve and the convertible structure that provides a passage for theonce-only filling operation is located deep inside the unit so thattampering for refilling efforts would inevitably leave tell-tale marks.

The foregoing detailed description of several illustrative embodimentsof various aspects of the invention will inevitably suggestmodifications and still further embodiments to those skilled in the art,and therefore the invention should be construed broadly in accordancewith its full spirit and scope.

What is claimed is:

l. A fluid dispensing valve assembly having a body one end of which isformed for securement to a container, said body forming a conduit forfilling and discharge flow of fluid, a shut-off valve operable forcontrolling the flow of fluid through said conduit, said shut-off valvehaving an externally accessible control, and convertible means in saidbody in condition initially to accommodate the flow of fluid throughsaid conduit in both filling and discharge directions, a portion of saidconduit including two passages in parallel, a check valve in one of saidtwo passages arranged to pass fluid only in the discharge direction andsaid convertible means including means for sealing permanently the otherof said two passages when the valve assembly is to be renderednon-refillable, said sealing means being operable by the shut-off valvefrom the exterior of the valve assembly into its sealing condition, andmeans including said body and said shut-off valve for securely enclosingand guarding said sealing means against access from the exterior of thevalve assembly for reopening the conduit to the flow of fluid in thefilling direction, whereby a container equipped with the valve assemblymay be evacuated and then filled with fluid in the initial condition ofthe valve assembly but is substantially non-refillable after conversionof the convertible means.

2. A fluid dispensing valve assembly having a body one end of which isformed for securement to a container, said body forming a conduit forfilling and discharge flow of fluid, a shut-off valve operable forcontrolling the flow of fluid through said conduit, said shut-off valvehaving an externally accessible control, and convertible means in saidbody in condition initially to accommodate the flow of fluid throughsaid conduit in both filling and discharge directions, a portion of saidconduit including two passages in parallel, a check valve in one of saidtwo passages arranged to pass fluid only in the discharge direction andsaid convertible means including means for sealing permanently the otherof said two passages when the valve assembly is to be renderednon-refillable, said sealing means being operable by the shut-off valvefrom the exterior of the valve assembly into its sealing condition, saidsealing means including an initially open readily deformable device insaid other of said two passages and said sealing means further includinga part operable by said shut-off valve for deforming said deformabledevice into a passage closure, said valve assembly when secured to acontainer having means including said body and said shut-off valve forsecurely enclosing and guarding said sealing means against access fromthe exterior of the valve assembly for reopening the conduit to the flowof fluid in the filling direction, whereby a container equipped with thevalve assembly may be evacuated and then filled with fluid in theinitial condition of the valve assembly but is substantiallynonrefillable after conversion of the convertible means.

3. A fluid dispensing valve assembly having a body one end of which isformed for securement to a container, said body forming a conduit forfilling and discharge flow of fluid, a shut-off valve operable forcontrolling the flow of fluid through said conduit, said shut-off valvehaving an externally accessible control, and convertible means in saidbody in condition initially to accommodate the flow of fluid throughsaid conduit in both filling and discharge directions, said convertiblemeans being convertible permanently into means obstructing the flow offluid selectively in the filling direction, said shut-ofi' valveincluding a part cooperable with said convertible means for effectingconversion thereof into said obstructing means in the closing operationof the shut-off valve, said valve assembly when secured to a containerhaving means including said body and said shut-off valve for securelyenclosing and guarding said obstructing means against access from theexterior of the valve assembly for reopening the conduit to the flow offluid in the filling direction, whereby the first closing operation ofthe shut-off valve following a filling of the container causes automaticconversion of the valve assembly to its nonrefillable condition, andwhereby a container equipped with the valve assembly may be evacuatedand then filled with fluid in the initial condition of the valveassembly but is substantially non-refillable after conversion of theconvertible means.

4. A fluid dispensing valve assembly having a body one end of which isformed for securement to a container, said body forming a conduit forfilling and discharge flow of fluid, a shut-off valve operable forcontrolling the flow of fluid through said conduit, said shut-off valvehaving an externally accessible control, and convertible means in saidbody in condition initially to accommodate the flow of fluid throughsaid conduit in both filling and discharge directions, a portion of saidconduit including two passages in parallel, said convertible meansincluding a check valve in one of said two passages arranged to passfluid only in the discharge direction and said convertible meansincluding means for sealing permanently the other of said two passageswhen the valve assembly is to be rendered non-refillable, said shut-offvalve including a part operable during the closing motion of theshut-off valve for causing the sealing means to seal said other of saidtwo passages, said valve assembly when secured to a container havingmeans including said body and said shut-off valve for securely enclosingand giarding said sealing means against access from the exterior of thevalve assembly for reopening the conduit to the flow of fluid in thefilling direction, whereby a container equipped with the valve assemblymay be evacuated and then filled with fluid in the initial condition ofthe valve assembly but is substantially non-refillable after conversionof the convertible means.

5. A fluid dispensing valve assembly having a body one end of which isformed for securement to a container, said body forming a conduit havingonly one through passage for filling and discharge flow of fluid, ashut-off valve operable for controlling the flow of fluid through saidpassage, said shut-off valve having an externally accessible control,and convertible means in said body comprising an initially inactivecheck valve initially in condition to accommodate the flow of fluidthrough said passage in both filling and discharge directions, saidcheck valve being convertible after an initial filling operation into anactive check valve in said passage in series with said shut-off valve,said initially inactive check valve including a movable valve member, avalve seat, means for biasing said valve member toward said valve seat,and detent means effective initially to prevent the cooperation of saidvalve member with said valve seat, said detent means being defeatableafter an initial filling operation to enable said valve member to engagesaid seat, said check valve when active being operative to pass fluidonly in the discharge direction, said check valve after being renderedactive to obstruct the flow of fluid selectively in the fillingdirection being guarded against access from the exterior of the valveassembly when secured to a container for reopening the passage to theflow of fluid in the filling direction, whereby a container equippedwith the valve assembly may be evacuated and then filled with fluid inthe initial condition of the valve assembly but is substantiallynon-refillable after conversion of said convertible means.

6. A valve assembly in accordance with claim 5, wherein said shut-offvalve has means for releasing said movable check-valve member from saiddetent means for thereby activating the check valve.

7. A valve assembly in accordance with claim 5,

wherein said shut-off valve has a stem bearin an extern manual operatingknob constituting sa1 external control, and a movable member carried bysaid stem for driving said movable check-valve member past said detentmeans during the initial closing operation of the shut-off valve.

8. A valve assembly in accordance with claim 5, wherein said shut-offvalve has a movable valve member and a seat, the movable member beingnormally biased against said seat, and wherein said externallyaccessible control is a valve stem arranged to lift said movable valvemember from said seat, and an internal part operable by said valve stemfor driving said movable check-valve member past said detent meansduring the operation of the movable valve member in the valve-openingdirection.

9. A valve assembly in accordance with claim 5, wherein said detentmeans is of a material related to the liquefied fluid fill of thecontainer on which the valve assembly is to be used so as to be renderedsoft and thus to be disabled as detent means after substantial exposureto the liquefied fluid fill.

10. A valve assembly in accordance with claim 5, wherein said movablecheck-valve member is adapted to be shifted into active cooperation withits seat due to its inertia in response to an impact-induced shift ofthe valve assembly.

1. A fluid dispensing valve assembly having a body one end of which isformed for securement to a container, said body forming a conduit forfilling and discharge flow of fluid, a shut-off valve operable forcontrolling the flow of fluid through said conduit, said shut-off valvehaving an externally accessible control, and convertible means in saidbody in condition initially to accommodate the flow of fluid throughsaid conduit in both filling and discharge directions, a portion of saidconduit including two passages in parallel, a check valve in one of saidtwo passages arranged to pass fluid only in the discharge direction andsaid convertible means including means for sealing permanently the otherof said two passages when the valve assembly is to be renderednon-refillable, said sealing means being operable by the shut-off valvefrom the exterior of the valve assembly into its sealing condition, andmeans including said body and said shut-off valve for securely enclosingand guarding said sealing means against access from the exterior of thevalve assembly for reopening the cOnduit to the flow of fluid in thefilling direction, whereby a container equipped with the valve assemblymay be evacuated and then filled with fluid in the initial condition ofthe valve assembly but is substantially nonrefillable after conversionof the convertible means.
 2. A fluid dispensing valve assembly having abody one end of which is formed for securement to a container, said bodyforming a conduit for filling and discharge flow of fluid, a shut-offvalve operable for controlling the flow of fluid through said conduit,said shut-off valve having an externally accessible control, andconvertible means in said body in condition initially to accommodate theflow of fluid through said conduit in both filling and dischargedirections, a portion of said conduit including two passages inparallel, a check valve in one of said two passages arranged to passfluid only in the discharge direction and said convertible meansincluding means for sealing permanently the other of said two passageswhen the valve assembly is to be rendered non-refillable, said sealingmeans being operable by the shut-off valve from the exterior of thevalve assembly into its sealing condition, said sealing means includingan initially open readily deformable device in said other of said twopassages and said sealing means further including a part operable bysaid shut-off valve for deforming said deformable device into a passageclosure, said valve assembly when secured to a container having meansincluding said body and said shut-off valve for securely enclosing andguarding said sealing means against access from the exterior of thevalve assembly for reopening the conduit to the flow of fluid in thefilling direction, whereby a container equipped with the valve assemblymay be evacuated and then filled with fluid in the initial condition ofthe valve assembly but is substantially non-refillable after conversionof the convertible means.
 3. A fluid dispensing valve assembly having abody one end of which is formed for securement to a container, said bodyforming a conduit for filling and discharge flow of fluid, a shut-offvalve operable for controlling the flow of fluid through said conduit,said shut-off valve having an externally accessible control, andconvertible means in said body in condition initially to accommodate theflow of fluid through said conduit in both filling and dischargedirections, said convertible means being convertible permanently intomeans obstructing the flow of fluid selectively in the fillingdirection, said shut-off valve including a part cooperable with saidconvertible means for effecting conversion thereof into said obstructingmeans in the closing operation of the shut-off valve, said valveassembly when secured to a container having means including said bodyand said shut-off valve for securely enclosing and guarding saidobstructing means against access from the exterior of the valve assemblyfor reopening the conduit to the flow of fluid in the filling direction,whereby the first closing operation of the shut-off valve following afilling of the container causes automatic conversion of the valveassembly to its non-refillable condition, and whereby a containerequipped with the valve assembly may be evacuated and then filled withfluid in the initial condition of the valve assembly but issubstantially non-refillable after conversion of the convertible means.4. A fluid dispensing valve assembly having a body one end of which isformed for securement to a container, said body forming a conduit forfilling and discharge flow of fluid, a shut-off valve operable forcontrolling the flow of fluid through said conduit, said shut-off valvehaving an externally accessible control, and convertible means in saidbody in condition initially to accommodate the flow of fluid throughsaid conduit in both filling and discharge directions, a portion of saidconduit including two passages in parallel, said convertible meansincluding a check valve in one of said two passages arranged To passfluid only in the discharge direction and said convertible meansincluding means for sealing permanently the other of said two passageswhen the valve assembly is to be rendered non-refillable, said shut-offvalve including a part operable during the closing motion of theshut-off valve for causing the sealing means to seal said other of saidtwo passages, said valve assembly when secured to a container havingmeans including said body and said shut-off valve for securely enclosingand guarding said sealing means against access from the exterior of thevalve assembly for reopening the conduit to the flow of fluid in thefilling direction, whereby a container equipped with the valve assemblymay be evacuated and then filled with fluid in the initial condition ofthe valve assembly but is substantially non-refillable after conversionof the convertible means.
 5. A fluid dispensing valve assembly having abody one end of which is formed for securement to a container, said bodyforming a conduit having only one through passage for filling anddischarge flow of fluid, a shut-off valve operable for controlling theflow of fluid through said passage, said shut-off valve having anexternally accessible control, and convertible means in said bodycomprising an initially inactive check valve initially in condition toaccommodate the flow of fluid through said passage in both filling anddischarge directions, said check valve being convertible after aninitial filling operation into an active check valve in said passage inseries with said shut-off valve, said initially inactive check valveincluding a movable valve member, a valve seat, means for biasing saidvalve member toward said valve seat, and detent means effectiveinitially to prevent the cooperation of said valve member with saidvalve seat, said detent means being defeatable after an initial fillingoperation to enable said valve member to engage said seat, said checkvalve when active being operative to pass fluid only in the dischargedirection, said check valve after being rendered active to obstruct theflow of fluid selectively in the filling direction being guarded againstaccess from the exterior of the valve assembly when secured to acontainer for reopening the passage to the flow of fluid in the fillingdirection, whereby a container equipped with the valve assembly may beevacuated and then filled with fluid in the initial condition of thevalve assembly but is substantially non-refillable after conversion ofsaid convertible means.
 6. A valve assembly in accordance with claim 5,wherein said shut-off valve has means for releasing said movablecheck-valve member from said detent means for thereby activating thecheck valve.
 7. A valve assembly in accordance with claim 5, whereinsaid shut-off valve has a stem bearing an external manual operating knobconstituting said external control, and a movable member carried by saidstem for driving said movable check-valve member past said detent meansduring the initial closing operation of the shut-off valve.
 8. A valveassembly in accordance with claim 5, wherein said shut-off valve has amovable valve member and a seat, the movable member being normallybiased against said seat, and wherein said externally accessible controlis a valve stem arranged to lift said movable valve member from saidseat, and an internal part operable by said valve stem for driving saidmovable check-valve member past said detent means during the operationof the movable valve member in the valve-opening direction.
 9. A valveassembly in accordance with claim 5, wherein said detent means is of amaterial related to the liquefied fluid fill of the container on whichthe valve assembly is to be used so as to be rendered soft and thus tobe disabled as detent means after substantial exposure to the liquefiedfluid fill.
 10. A valve assembly in accordance with claim 5, whereinsaid movable check-valve member is adapted to be shifted into activecooperation with its seat due to iTs inertia in response to animpact-induced shift of the valve assembly.